Ricordo de la Festa Nazionale

Black text on a white background with a color illustration of the flags of Italy and the United States attached to crossed yellow flag poles

Ricordo de la Festa Nazionale, also known as National Unity and Armed Forces Day, is an Italian national holiday first recognized on November 3, 1918, in honor of Italy's defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the end of WWI; the holiday is celebrated on the following day, November 4th. On its first anniversary in 1919, protests broke out due to the clash of fascists and socialists. In response to the violence from the previous year, a Flag Festival was held in 1920. Participating in the Flag Festival were Italy's flags along with those of their allies, including the United States. In 1941, Italy paused the celebration (along with other Italian holidays) due to World War II. After WWII the holiday resumed, and throughout the 1950s to the 1970s, the event experienced violent and deadly riots. These events contributed to the transition to National Unity Day and is no longer a public nor a widely known holiday anymore.